Last-minute shoppers hit high street
If you look under 25 and want to buy alcohol you will need to prove your age. Challenge 25. No I.D. No sale. You must be 18 or over to purchase alcohol. Alcohol available after 10am in Scotland. All bottles shown 75cl. Selected stores. Subject to availability. The Grocer 33 is an annual award based on a basket of 33 products that are randomly selected and changed each week. Prices are compared across Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. For verification contact Asda Stores, Southbank, Great Wilson Street, Leeds LS11 5AD. THOUSANDS hit the high streets yesterday as shoppers filled Huddersfield town centre in a final mad dash before the big day.
One store in Kingsgate shopping centre said the public were ‘queuing outside before the shutters even opened’.
The town centre has been the subject of fierce criticism in recent months following fears stores are disappearing and shoppers are moving to the nearby bigger hubs of Leeds and Manchester.
Piazza store Outdoor World is the most recent to announce its closure, following the disappearance of fashion boutique Pink Cadillac earlier this year.
But one retail assistant claimed the footfall has shot up in recent weeks, and that there is hope Huddersfield’s high street.
Sarah Oliver, who works in Waterstones in Kingsgate, said: “It’s been absolutely amazing – just packed. We’ve had plenty of people queuing to get in even before the shutters have been opened.
“It’s bonkers how busy things have been but we have loved every minute of it. I’ve been in the business for 11 years and seen it go up and down, but things are on the up.
“People just love books, it’s something that’s special to everyone.
“We’ve also seen board games fly off the shelves this year.
“Huddersfield Monopoly has done very well for us and there was one point where we were struggling to meet demand.”